Inductive Settable Electronic Time Fuze
for Mortars
Mike Tucker
Technical Director, Electronic Engineering
Fuchs Electronics
South Africa
47th NDIA Annual Fuze Conference – April 2003
• Disadvantages of Conventional Mortar Time Fuzes
• Design Objectives for a new Mortar Time Fuze
• Inductive Set Mortar Time Fuze – MTF01
• Characteristics
• Design Challenges
• Performance/Status
• Hand set Mortar Time Fuze - M9813
• Characteristics
• Inductive Fuze Setting Systems
• Conclusion
CONTENTS
Disadvantages of Conventional Mortar Time Fuzes
w Second environment sensor – Pull wire
w Not compatible with autoloader systems
w Timing inaccuracy – especially at temperature extremes
w External lighting source required at night
w Ballistic range changes due to profile
w Excessive time required for setting
w Special tools required for setting
w Compatible with all 60mm to 120mm mortar systems
w Inductive time setting within 1.5 seconds
w Settable from 5.0 to 199.9 sec in 0.1 sec steps
w Time read-back facility
w Time accuracy better than 100mS
w External profile compatible with DM93 fuze
w Impact Backup Mode
w Use of two independent timers
w Overall Reliability >99%
w STANAG 4157 / 4187 Compliant
Design Objectives for a new Mortar Time Fuze
Inductive Set Mortar Time Fuze – MTF01
• Characteristics
• Based on well proven proximity fuze M9327
• Turbine Generator Powered
• No Stored Electrical Energy
• Inductively Set
• STANAG 4369 Based protocol
• Supports inductive “readback”
• Settable 5.0 to 199.9 sec in 0.1 s steps
• Microprocessor based electronics
• ‘Flash’ Microprocessor Technology
• Indefinite memory retention
• Dual Independent Timers
• Timing accuracy better than 100ms
• Electronic Safety time 4.0 sec
• MTF01 Characteristics – Continued
• Electronic Superquick Impact Backup
• Safe and Arm Device:
• 180° Out of line when safe
• Turbine Driven Reduction Gearbox
• Dual Environments:
• Setback
• Airspeed
• Turbine protected against overspeed
• Black Powder Pyrotechnic Charge
• Waterproof nose cover for storage
• Fuze Mass (No